Cathepsin D and apoptosis related proteins are elevated in the brain of autistic subjects

• Published in: Neuroscience Vol. 165; no. 2; pp. 363 - 370
• Main Authors: Sheikh, A.M., Li, X., Wen, G., Tauqeer, Z., Brown, W.T., Malik, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 20.01.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adolescent; apoptosis; autism; Autistic Disorder - metabolism; Bcl-2; Biological and medical sciences; Blotting, Western; Brain - metabolism; Caspase 3 - metabolism; caspase-3; cathepsin D; Cathepsin D - metabolism; Cerebellum - metabolism; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Frontal Lobe - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hippocampus - metabolism; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; inflammation; Male; Neurology; Neurons - metabolism; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - metabolism; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Bcl-2; TGF; IL; cathepsin D; inflammation; apoptosis; TNF; autism; caspase-3; tumor necrosis factor; interleukin; transforming growth factor; Human; Enzyme; Cysteine endopeptidases; Central nervous system; Caspase; Inflammation; Protein; Encephalon; Peptidases; Cell death; Hydrolases; Aspartic endopeptidases; Cathepsin D; Apoptosis

Autism is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by problems in communication, social skills, and repetitive behavior. Recent studies suggest that apoptotic mechanisms may partially contribute to the pathogenesis of this disorder. Cathepsin D is the predominant lysosomal protease and is...